6 Bottom-6 Options for Devils to Target in Free Agency
This free-agent class may not be the best, but there are some intriguing bottom-6 UFAs for the New Jersey Devils to target.
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One of the New Jersey Devils’ more understated weaknesses over the last two seasons has been bottom-six depth. It was particularly noticeable in 2025-26, especially on the fourth line.
Paul Cotter had poor five-on-five impacts and a goal differential of -26. Luke Glendening was one of the worst forwards in the NHL, and their struggles became even more pronounced once injuries mounted.
This free-agent class may be one of the weakest in years, but there are still good depth options available.
GM Sunny Mehta says he wants players who will help the Devils outscore their opponents. Let’s look at some bottom-six UFA options who would check off what Mehta is looking for.
Kasperi Kapanen
Early in his career, Kasperi Kapanen looked like an emerging top-six forward. He was once a 20-goal, 40-point player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he’s reinvented his game to become a bottom-six forward.
Kapanen spent this season with the Edmonton Oilers, totaling eight goals and 17 points in 41 games, a 16-goal, 34-point pace over 82 games. His underlying numbers were a mixed bag. He finished with an expected goals share (xG%) of 46.88 percent, though he did have a positive goal differential (+4).
However, Kapanen was one of the Oilers’ more efficient five-on-five scorers, averaging 1.79 points per 60 minutes. With the Devils finishing 31st in five-on-five goals this season, he could add much-needed scoring to their bottom six.
Evolving Hockey has Kapanen projected for a one-year deal worth $1.17 million. He’d be well worth that price if he can produce at a 16-goal, 34-point pace again.
Kailer Yamamoto
At 5-foot-9, 178 pounds, Kailer Yamamoto may not fit the mold of your typical bottom-six forward, but he had an excellent season for the Utah Mammoth.
Yamamoto finished with 13 goals and 23 points in 59 games, an 18-goal, 31-point pace over 82 games. He was one of the Mammoth’s most efficient five-on-five scorers, averaging 2.09 points per 60 minutes.
Yamamoto also totaled an xG% of 53.59 percent and a goal differential of +10 at five-on-five. His results weren’t fluky, either. His microstats profile shows plenty of good in his game:
Even for a smaller player, Yamamoto was one of the best forecheckers in the NHL this season. The Devils could use another forechecking presence in their bottom six, so he can help.
Evolving Hockey has Yamamoto projected for a one-year, $1.258 million deal. He’s an absolute no-brainer for the Devils at that price for what he brings to the table.
Alex Kerfoot
Some of you remember when Alex Kerfoot was a Devils prospect nearly a decade ago. He missed plenty of time with an injury this season, but there could be a good buy-low opportunity for Mehta.
Kerfoot finished this season with 13 points in 34 games, a 31-point pace over 82 games. He was one of the Mammoth’s more efficient five-on-five scorers as well, averaging 1.85 points per 60 minutes.
While Kerfoot produced at five-on-five, his other metrics were a mixed bag. He finished with an xG% of 48.8 percent and a negative goal differential (-4).
One of the Devils’ less talked-about needs is finding more center depth this offseason. Mehta is probably best off finding someone via the trade market, but Kerfoot could be an option in free agency.
Evolving Hockey has Kerfoot projected for a one-year, $1.398 million deal. That’s why he may be a good buy-low option for the Devils.
Danton Heinen
I’ve always thought of Danton Heinen as one of the more underappreciated bottom-six forwards in the NHL.
Heinen began the season in Pittsburgh, but finished with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he totaled 10 points in 33 games, a 25-point pace over 82 games.
Heinen was fantastic in limited minutes with the Blue Jackets. He finished with an xG% of 58.87 percent, ranked first among all Blue Jackets skaters, and also had a goal differential of +6.
One of Heinen’s strengths has always been his responsible two-way game. He was the Blue Jackets’ best shot-suppressing skater, allowing just 1.94 expected goals per 60 minutes. His overall underlying profile looks quite good for the role he plays, too:
Evolving Hockey has Heinen projected for a one-year, $1.41 million deal. Similar to Yamamoto, he would be well worth that price for the Devils.
A.J. Greer
Former Devil A.J. Greer has bounced around quite a bit in his NHL career, but he found a home with the Florida Panthers. He had a career year in Sunrise, finishing with 17 goals and 32 points in 78 games.
Greer shot 16.3 percent this season, comfortably above his career shooting percentage of 10.1. I’m not sure 17 goals should be the expectation moving forward. Still, his peripherals were quite good.
Greer finished with an xG% of 53.52 percent and a goal differential of +10. He was one of the Panthers’ better two-way players and provided some physicality.
It’ll be interesting to see if Mehta targets Greer since there’s the Panthers connection between the two, plus Greer’s familiarity with the Devils. Elliotte Friedman reported Greer will be testing the market, so he’ll be available on July 1.
Evolving Hockey has Greer projected for a two-year deal at a cap hit of $2.186 million. That is generally a bit more than I’d like to pay for a fourth-liner.
However, if the Devils are going to pay a fourth-liner that kind of contract, they’d be better off giving it to Greer over Cotter. who projects for a similar contract as an RFA this offseason.
Greer is a similar type of player to Cotter, but his underlying profile is much stronger than Cotter’s. He’d likely provide an upgrade for the same price.
Joel Kiviranta
Joel Kiviranta did not produce much this season, totaling just three goals and nine points in 51 games, but his underlying metrics were terrific.
Kiviranta totaled an xG% of 58.4 percent and a goal differential of +8 with the Colorado Avalanche. He may not be much of a scorer historically, but he helps his team tilt the ice in its favor:
Evolving Hockey has Kiviranta projected for a two-year deal at a cap hit of $1.416 million. I would prefer Mehta to target someone with a bit more offensive upside, given the Devils’ five-on-five scoring woes this season.
But I can come around to Kiviranta if Mehta stacks the top nine with more scoring punch, and he wants someone with a bit more of a two-way and forechecking presence for the fourth line.
Mehta Will Have Bottom-6 Options in Free Agency
If I were Mehta, my top targets from this list would be Yamamoto and Heinen. They’d add a bit more scoring punch to the bottom six and are strong five-on-five players who would bring some different elements to the team.
Regardless, some decent bottom-six options are heading for free agency. Mehta should be able to find some upgrades on July 1.
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Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Stats